 I didn't start out writing this to you.... |
Hello my love...
This morning, when I sat down to write this week's post, the subject I was going to write about was completely different from what you're receiving. However, today, I did something I usually don't do before writing to you. I checked my Facebook feed. I choose not to do that before writing, because it seems to put me into a reactive mode, rather than a creative one. But something struck me today.
I saw a post from a very close friend of mine, who did no more than share something she thought was nice. But it struck me like a bolt of lightening. It was a YouTube post of an X-Factor show from back in September 2015. A gentleman was the very last person auditioning to be on the show. I'm sure the judges were worn out from all the listening and judging of the talented and not-so-talented. Over 200,000 individuals auditioned for the show, although Simon Cowell and crew only see the last and most qualified ones, regardless, I'm sure the number of people they listened to this day was substantial.
One young gentleman named Josh was auditioning on the video that my friend shared. He was the last person to audition for the evening, and God knows how long he'd been waiting in the wings for his opportunity to WOW the judges. Can you imagine the flood of emotions that would come to you during this long period of time? Excitement, confidence, fear, lack of confidence, hopefulness, hopelessness, all jumping back and forth as you wait and wait and wait. I honestly don't know if I could withstand the stress involved.
But Josh waited for his turn. With humility and grace, he waited with his mother. He chose to sing "Jealous" by Labyrinth. For him, this song represented the jealousy he felt when his best friend passed away. He was jealous that his best friend is in heaven and Josh is not. Jealous that his best friend no longer feels pain, while Josh does feel pain. Jealous that his best friend moved on with out him.
When Josh finished speaking onstage with Simon and prepared himself to sing, there was about a 10 second delay. It took him 10 seconds to gather his emotions. 10 seconds to breathe and prepare himself for what could potentially be the defining moment of his life. Josh was a car mechanic in England and this was his shot at the big time. Internalize THAT for a minute. One big chance for you to make or break, and it's all in your hands. Or in Josh's case, your voice.
The song begins with Josh's voice. Spot on that first note so when the music began he was pitch perfect. Excellent job, Josh. (I'm no Simon, but to impress a music snob like me, is quite the big deal) Then he continued. Josh was actually NOT the best singer I've heard, male or female. Not even close. However, he has a whispery quality to his voice that I found intriguing. Some of his notes were a bit off key. Some of his enunciation was tough to make out. We all know who Simon Cowell is, and usually, that's enough to make him stop someone dead in their tracks - but not this time.
Josh's presentation of this song was completely captivating. His deep emotion showed through. His passion and heartbreak connected with the passion and heartbreak of every person present. Studio audience and judges alike. The cameras showed people in tears everywhere. And of course I was in tears, just watching the YouTube video. How did the guy who was "not the best singer in the world" captivate everyone the way he did? Well, the same way YOU can, my love. By not holding back your passion and your emotion.
You see, we all try so hard to "control" our emotions. To not "feel" so much that we are on the edge of losing control. We try to "manage" ourselves so closely and so tightly, so as not to give others' the opportunity to judge us. Most of us fear that being judged is the worst thing that can happen to us. What if someone doesn't like us? Our talents? Our gifts? Our Metier?
Can I break your heart for a moment? We are all being judged whether we want to believe it or not. The question we all must ask ourselves is this: Do we want to be judged around how well we control ourselves, or do we want to be judged around our passion, emotion, commitment and dedication? That is a big question, and one that I plan to spend a great deal of time contemplating. I suggest you do the same!
Open up and display your passion! Bring out your love! Bring out your dedication to your passion! Let your joy, devotion and passion for your life show, right now, to everyone! Be an inspiration to others! It's perfectly OK to be judged, and who cares anyway! The only judgement that matters is the judgement you place on yourself. Are you living ALL OUT? Are you giving this one, precious, beautiful life we have been given 100% of what you have? Let me tell you in no uncertain terms. THAT is the way you should be living your life.
That's the way to do it. That's what I want my life to look like. I don't have to be perfect. I just have to be 100%, authentically, unabashedly, unapologetically ME! Don't you?
I would love to know what you think about this post. Please comment below!
With Brilliant Love and Passion,
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